How will this new government effect single parents?

[want2sleep]

I didn't read their policies as I didnt vote them so dont know what their plans are for single parents? They are going to make huge cuts it said on the news.

Anyone know?

[GypsyMoth]

bump!!

[want2sleep]

just read they are going to get rid CTC! Is this true?

[BertieBotts]

I don't think that they can just get rid of child tax credit, not without making up at least some of the difference elsewhere. TBH if they are going to replace the system I think that tax credits should be the first thing to be replaced because they are such a pain! But yes I expect that they will cut benefits etc I have been saving as much as I have been able to put away.

[belledechocolatefluffybunny]

They are going to cut tax credits for families that earn over 50k!! I can't see them cutting benefits although I do expect that they will encourage single parents to work once their child reaches a certain age.

[gillybean2]

Single parents already are encouraged to work when their child reaches a certain age!
In fact you have to work or go on job seekers allowance and be actively looking for work. This was introduced by labour!

I already work so it doesn't effect me too much. And I can't remember the exact ages or time frame, but I believe that if your child is of secondary school age you are expected to be looking for work and go on job seekers now not income support.

This is one of many policies that labour have put in place and the conservatives are going to sweep in and reep the 'rewards' by looking like they are tackling stuff that was already being put in place!

[OptimistS]

I wouldn't worry too much at the moment. The manifestos of both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats promise to honour the existing tax credits arrangements made under Labour, with the exception of higher earners. Whether you believe the Conservatives will honour that promise is another matter, as is wondering whether they will 'freeze' payments to save money while inflation continues to rise, which effectively means the freeze is a cut although the government can legitimately claim they haven't cut anything. That said, insane optimist that I am, I am hopeful that a Con-Lib alliance will mean that the Conservatives behave honourably and and are aware that their majority is fragile enough that they cannot possibly put through any legislation that could be construed in any way as social engineering. Nothing much will change for the next 12 months or so regardless, as it will take that long to get any new legislation through.

Personally, I'm more worried about a Murdoch-dominated media and negative stereotyping about single parents than I am about a Conservative government right now...

[gillybean2]

Here we go, an article on single parents having to work or their benefits get cut

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6904520.stm

[Niceguy2]

Belle is right, the only stated policy so far is to cut tax credits for those who earn over £50k. Oh and get rid of child trust funds.

Other than that, no-one knows yet. Probably not even the new govt. Much will now depend on how dire the state of our nation's finances actually are and also what the coalition can agree to pass.

I doubt they will directly cut benefits but I expect to see squeezes where they can such as limiting the amount of housing benefits you can get. This is to stop benefit claimants getting million pound houses in London.

There are already plans to move single parents from income support to JSA which I expect to see remain.

No doubt a lot of people now will blame the Tories for the pain of cuts when in reality it was the previous govt's fault for spending well beyond our means.

[gillybean2]

Just announced on the radio that the new government plan to tackle the debt by cutting £1 billion this first year in office. So they are definitely starting as they mean to go on....

And niceguy2, if you think they got into power without having much of an idea on what they plan to do, implying they will wing it as they go along, then you are sadly mistaken. They know exactly what they want to do, they just haven't been forthcoming about the details of that which they have been prepared to put out there, and the rest they are keeping close to their chest!

My one hope is that with having to rely on the lib dems that they will be severly restricted in what they can push through.

[Niceguy2]

GB2, I actually don't think they do because all the plans before were based upon a majority govt which now like you said has to have agreement with the lib dems too.

Riven, my understanding is that they are stopping new payments. If you have one already then it stands.

[Niceguy2]

Oh, GB2. Just thought I'd mention that the link you posted to the BBC website is an article nearly three years old. So the change from IS to JSA is absolutely a Labour policy rather than a Tory thing.

[gillybean2]

It is three yeras old yes. The plans have been put in place and the last stage is coming into effect this year. The trouble is most people seem completely unaware of it, even single parents until it actually starts to affect them.

I'm pretty sure most people when they hear in October that single parents who's children are 7 will have to look for a job will think it's due to conservatives being tough and say 'jolly good'. It will be chalked up to conservatives getting tough on single parent scroungers (as we all get labeled as the same regardless). When in fact it is part of the whole labour policy on getting children out of poverty. A policy which is only now starting to come into fruition and is going to be completely scuppered by the conservatives imo!

[want2sleep]

sorry so does this mean the TORIES are NOT going to stop CTC?

Thanks for that info Riven eased my worries with the 7yr thingy as ds is 5yrs

So worried....I will lose my home as I still pay big mortgage

[gillybean2]

They're not going to stop it short term, but they haven't ruled out additional changes to it (in addition to the one they have stated which is stopping it for those earning over 50K). I think it will simply be a matter of time.

[blinder]

The LibDems want automatic joint custody for separated parents- three and a half days with each. Terrifying.

[gillybean2]

Why is that terrifying blinder? I personally am in favour and think that should be the expected normal situation to start from and then everyone work from that. Both parents should be considered as equal and play an equally important part of a child's life. You then vary the arrangement according to your circumstances and what works for you both.

If, for example, one parent chooses to reduce the contact because of their work commitments, then you simply agree it. If One parent proposes to put the child with a nanny and the other parent shows they can work around it then they should be given priority to have that time rather than have the child go to a stranger.

They are not saying that all separated parents should have 50/50 time with each parent, just that 50/50 should be the place to start negotiating from rather than one parent holding all the cards while the other has to fight for every minute.

Ask yourself how you would feel if you were the parent who didn't get to have the contact, who was treated as a second class parent and were held to ransom by the other parent about when and how much time you could spend with your own children.

[gillybean2]

Obviusly I meant "They are not saying that all separated parents should have 50/50 time with their child , just that 50/50 should be the place to start negotiating ..."